Welcome to The Latter-day Saint Organist's Resource Blog

The purpose of this blog is to help pianists learn to become true organists. Many individuals believe that if you play the piano you can play the organ, but the instruments differ greatly. While this blog is specifically geared towards members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, much of the information shared can be utilized by all. I hope that the information I share here will help you become an effective organist in your ward, stake, or other congregation.

Feel free to browse and search this blog. It was started in January 2010 and while new posts aren't added very often, this blog contains a wealth of information and is a wonderful resource for all organists. If you're a new reader, you can find the first lesson here: Before We Begin: Acquiring the Essentials. Also, please "like" the corresponding facebook page, which is updated more often. A link is provided on the right sidebar, or you can click here.

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Friday, October 26, 2018

Max Walker, the sub-dean of the Salt Lake Chapter of the American Guild of Organists has shared information on how to obtain white organ shoes for men. I wanted to pass this information on to you, as I know many men end up playing in their stocking feet because they're unable to find white organ shoes.

Photo composite by Jennifer Morgan

Hi folks. This is for those gentlemen who may be playing chapel organ in
LDS temples and wish to have white organ shoes. The same info can be applied to
any color organ shoe. Many, many colors are available as noted
below. Similar options exist for the women's style shoes, in case you
ladies are having trouble finding white (colored) shoes.

Organmasters, the go-to source for many organists, doesn't sell the men's Oxford shoe in white and doesn't make it to order.

My new friend, Bill Hesterman, pointed me to TicTacToes.com.
They sell dance shoes, and have a category of organ shoes. They are the
factory, so they will make a shoe in white even if it is not offered on
the web site in white; one simply needs to call to ask for what one
needs.

There are two shoes at TicTacToes that would be attractive you gentlemen in that case:

"Applause."
The Applause is like Organmaster's Oxford. It is listed only in black on the
web site, but can be made in white (or any of the many colors they
offer). Note that the heel will be black regardless. If one finds that
unsuitable, but wants that style, one can paint that heel or have the
cobbler do it. The toe is slightly more pointed than the Oxford, but not
unnaturally so. It's just a nice looking shoe. The heel is the same as
the Organmaster Oxford: 1.25".

"Cameron." The Cameron is listed
under Specialty Organ Shoes. Its heel is made to match, wrapped in the
same color leather. This shoe has no shank. Its advantage is the white
heel. It looks normal enough viewed straight on. I have a pair on order,
but haven't received it yet, so I cannot comment yet on the shankless
fit. The Cameron comes with a taller heel than the Applause: a 1.75"
"Latin" heel. It can be ordered with a 1.25" heel if you prefer that;
simply specify upon ordering.

Artist's rendering by Jennifer Morgan of white "Applause" organ shoe

A couple more things to note:

TicTacToes'
shoes run true to US sizing. If you're accustomed to Organmaster shoes,
do not trust that sizing will match; it will not. Organmasters run
short to size, and are more snug.

The white shoe is made to
order and cannot be returned. If you are skittish about sizing, TicTacToes
suggests that you order the shoe in black, which is returnable, confirm
sizing, then return the black and order the confirmed size in white.
Obviously, you will confirm all of that when you order and won't rely on
my account of their policies.

Pay attention to heel length. These vary. You can specify what you are accustomed to.

Finally,
these are not kept in stock and are usually made to order. Plan on
extra time to receive your shoes; they suggest 4-6 weeks, but my first
pair came at about 3 weeks.

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A Little About Me

My name is Jennifer, and I am the mom to six little ones. The flute was my instrument throughout my youth. As a music education major I took a semester of group organ at BYU with Carol Dean. Two years later I was called as ward organist in her stake and again studied with her during that year. I dabbled on the organ for a number of years after that, but started studying the organ seriously again in August 2010 and have made great progress.

At the end of 2009 I realized that there are very few resources out there for pianists who are called to play the organ and wanted to help fill that gap, so this blog was born in January 2010. I hope you find it helpful!